Fluid heating apparatus



Jan. 20, 1953 T. M. LUMLY FLU ID HEATING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet- 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1949 Inventor Thomas M. Lum/y Jan. 20, 1953 T. M. LUMLY v 2,625,918

FLUID HEATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenor Thomas M. Lum/y Jan. 20, 1953 T. M. LUMLY 2,625,918

FLUID HEATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1949 l `A sheets-sheet 4 Thumbs M. Lum/y I A, s E] WMM W a 'Hmm Patented Jan. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID HEATING APPARATUS Thomas M. Lumly, Tulsa, Okla.

Application January 19, 1949, Serial No. 71,692

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in heaters and the primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for heating fluids such as oil, water and the like.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a heating unit that is divided into two heating zones and having banks of tubes in said heating zones, and embodying novel and improved means for controlling and proportioning the heat absorbed by the tubes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an upshot heater having a pair of convection tube banks mounted therein and a heat resisting, preferably chrome-nickel alloy steel, curtain or partition interposed between the pair of banks for regulating the amount of heat absorbed by each of the banks of convection tubes.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a fluid heater divided into two heating zones by a preferably chrome-nickel partition adjacent which there is supported a pair of banks of radiant tubes, said partition reflecting radiant heat to greater external surfaces of the radiant tubes than was heretofore possible with the commonly known gravity-type center wall heaters.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a uid heater including a steel curtain dividing the heater into two sections or heating zones, said curtain being vertically adjustable for controlling the amount of combustion gases entering the upper portion of the heater and more particularly the convection tube partition of the heater.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid heater including a novel and improved damper construction controlling the passage of the products of combustion from the heater into the stack.

A still further aim is to provide a fluid heater that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, small and compact in structure, highly efficient and durable in operation, neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heater constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of broken section line 2 2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary group perspective view showing the manner in which the steel curtain is secured to the curtain supporting beam;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary group perspective view showing the damper construction of the present heater; and,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary group perspective view showing the tube supports and framework used in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral I0 represents the heater generally, including a plurality of longitudinally spaced inverted, substantially U-shaped frame members l2 the lower ends of which are anchored t-o a foundation Hl. The upper ends of a pair of I-beams I6 are secured to the web of each frame member I2 and the lower ends Il of the beams I6 incline outwardly and downwardly and are secured to the legs of the frame members l2 intermediate the ends thereof. The inner flanges of the beams I6 support a plurality of vertically spaced pairs `of ears I8 that receive tongues 20 projecting from the ends of a plurality of tube supporting I-beams 22, it being understood that the tongues 20 are removably secured to the ears I'8 by any suitable means so that the supporting beams 22 may be quickly and readily removed for cleaning purposes in a convenient manner.

The lower of the supporting beams, which are referred to by the numeral 2li, are secured by fas-teners or the like 2'5 to the upper flanges of further I-beams 28 having downwardly and inwardly sloping end portions 3l).

The beams 22 are spaced from each other and from the beam 24, and the webs of all of the beams 22, 24 and 28 are provided with groups of openings or apertures 32 that receive first and second banks or groups of longitudinally extending convection tubes 34 and 36. The groups of tubes 34 and 36 are reversely bent back and forth and include lateral-ly projecting end portions 38 and 40 forming inlets for fluids that are to be directed through the said convection tubes.

From the lower fianges of the I-beams 28 there Vdepend elongated vertical support beams or webs 42 having laterally projecting, vertically spaced,

tube holding hooks or arms 44 on both sides thereof. The arms 44 are formed with concaved recesses that receive banks of reversely bent radiant tubes 46 and 48 which are integrally formed with the convection tubes 34 and 36.

The tubes 50 and 52 carried by the Supporting beams 28 are termed compensation tubes since these tubes compensate for the relatively high temperature differential which usually exists between the radiant and convection tube banks.

Suitably fixed to the inner flanges of leg portions of the frame members |2, below the portions is a plurality of longitudinally extending fire resistant refractory walls 54 forming the side walls of the instant heater. Refractory inner walls 56 are fixed to the inner faces ofthe side walls for a purpose which will later be more fully apparent.

Further refractory side walls 58 are secured to the inner flanges of the beams I6 and the upper portions of the side wall-s 58 are joined by an upper wall 60 having downwardly lsloping end portions 62.

The space'between the side walls 54 and-58 are closed by sloping walls 64 thereby completing the side-s of the heater as well as the upper wall.

The heater is provided at each end with end walls 66 in order to complete therenclosure for the combustion chamber and a selected one, or both, of the end walls 66 are provided with suitable openings and closures, such as'68 and '10, for the openings.

The banks of tubes '46 and 48 are provided with longitudinal extensions or outlets 'l2 and I4 that extend outwardly through one of the fend walls Secured 'to the upper wall 60 at -the `center thereof, is a base plate 16 lhavingan `opening in which there is xed, by welding or the like, a sleeve 78. A pair vof semi-cylindrical fire walls 80 are fixed within vthe sleeve 18 and `diametrically opposed anchor strips 82 Vare Ymounted 'between adjacent edges of the walls yand project into the interior of sleeve 18.

The sleeve 1'8 receives a b'affi`eplate`84 'the'edges of which are secured to the strips'82 by 'fasteners or the like. The baffle plate84 is disposed longitudinal-ly of the heater |0 4and "includes upper longitudinal projections 86 that 'rest `upon'the upper edge of the sleeve 18.

An extension plate 88 is -rigidly secured to "and depends Vfrom the Abaie plate |34 and this extension Vplate is received in an annular vopening 90 in the upper wall 60 for a purpose later Vto be explained.

Embracing the sleeve 78, is a damper structure designated ,generally by the numeral 92 that includes a cylindrical member or stack 'having inner and outer walls 94 and 96 between kwhich there'is mounted a :tire wall or sleeve 98.

The'outer wall 96 supports a Aring member |00 that is braced to the outer w-all 96 by a plurality of circumferentially Vspaced channel members |02.

Diametrically opposed supports |04 are mount- Axed to the diametrical edges of semi-circular curtains.

able means so that the plates |4 and 6 may be maintained at a predetermined raised position, and independent actuating means are associated with each rod whereby the rods are individually rotated to control the products of combustion passing from each of the heating zones ||8 and |20 in the heater I0.

A pair of longitudinally extending I--beams |22 and |24 are xed to the upper wall 60 and include downwardly inclined outer ends |26 that are secured to th-e ends 62 of the upper wall. The inner ends of the beams |22 and |24 are bent about opposite sides of the sleeve 'i8 and support the Vlower edges of the walls 94, 96 and 98.

The webs of the frame members l2 are joined by longitudinal connecting beams |28 and the beams |128 are braced by spaced cross beams |30 that support the ring member |00, together with the central portions of the beams |28.

Fixed to the uppermost of the .supporting beams 22, Vis a longitudinally extending plate or plates |32 having supporting and reinforcing webs |34. The longitudinal side edges of the plate .|32 abut the inner faces of walls 53 and the end edge'sof the plate |32 are spaced from the end wa1ls`66 to permit a passage for the combustion .products to pass about the ends of platel 32 toward the'opening 90.

Disposed longitudinallyof the heater |10 and between the banks of tubes 36, 52, 48 and S34, 50, 46, is a -plurality of verticallyextending steel curtains or partitions |38, of preferably nickelchrome alloy, which are spaced sufficiently Eto accommodate the supporting beams 22, 24 and28.

The-upper edges of the curtains |38 arelshaped to conform to the upper wall 60 and the zportions 62 of the upper wall, and the curtains are provided With a plurality of openings |40 that receive VU-bolts |42. The legs of the bolts |42 extend through the upper wall 60, including yportions 62, and the lower -anges of the beams :|22 and |24, including 'portions l|26,2and the threaded ends of U-bolts -receive holding'nuts that arcadjustable for retaining the-curtains in a vertically adj usted position.

Suitable hanger `bolts or the like |44 Lhold the central curtains'or partitions '|46 to theextension plate A88.

The heater lfis'providedwitha' refractory'oor |48 beneath which there `is mounted a row 'of burners 'that are disposed on both si'deso'f the The `burners communicate 'with the heating zones ||8 and |20 by firing ports |'52`provided in the floor. "Flames and lhot combustion gases issuing from the burners are directedina substantially continuous 'sheet against Yopposite sides of the-side walls formedby members-Eiland travel upwardly to heat 'the same to a 'highly radiant condition. Heat is ltransmitted fromthe flames and hot combustion gases Aand from the hot refractory faces of the side `walls 54 Yto the curtains or partitions and `hence to Vthe surfaces of the radiant tubesflland 48 disposedvadjacent the curtains. The resulting combustion .gases from which substantial quantities of radiantheat have been extracted pass from the heating :and combustion zones ||8 and |20 intoizonesllland |56 wherein the tubes 34and 36 are-heated.

It should be noted, thatbyextendingthe.curtains |33 and |46 between both pairsof radiant tubes, convection tubes and compensation tubes, a more desirable and eicientheating of the tubes is accomplished than was heretofore possible. Also, the partitions or Walls |38, |46 and -plates ||4 and ||6 will permit individual regulationfof the combustion products from the heating zones |20, |58 and ||8, |56, therefore, dierent types of liquids or fluids may be directed through the banks of the tubes 36, 52, 48 and 34, 50, 46 and maintained at a predetermined temperature without the necessity of altering the symmetry between pairs of tube banks as shown in the drawings. Y

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed'unnecessary. i

It is to, be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims. Having described the invention, what isclaimed asnewis:

1. A heater comprising an enclosure having an upper wall, said upper wall having an opening therein, a partition depending from and attached solely to said upper wall, banks of tubes held stationary within the enclosure adjacent both sides of and free from said partition, said enclosure being divided into two zones by said partition, damper means controlling the flow of .products of combustion through said opening,

and means adjustably securing the partition to the upper wall for vertical adjustment of the partition within the enclosure and relative to the banks of tubes.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said damper means includes a sleeve rising from said opening, a partition mounted in said sleeve and dividing the same into a pair of passages communicating with the respective zones, and a damper plate controlling each of the passages, said partition in said sleeve overlying the partition dividing the enclosure into two zones and said partitions being coplanar.

3. The combination of claim 1 and a common support for the walls of said enclosure and saidtubes, said common support including a plurality of substantially U-shaped frame members and cross beams terminally secured to said frame members and supporting said banks of tubes.

4. A heater comprising an elongated enclosure having an upper wall and an opening in said upper wall, a plurality of metallic curtains disposed in said enclosure and attached solely to said upper wall, hanger means removably and adjustably securing the curtains to the upper wall, said curtains dividing said enclosure into a pair oi heating zones, adjacent curtains being spaced from each other, a plurality of vertically displaced transverse beams mounted in said enclosure and located in the space between adjacent curtains, first and second banks of convection tubes carried by said beams and spaced from each other by said curtains, a support depending from said beams, first and second groups of radiation tubes mounted on said support and disposed on opposite sides of said curtains and spaced from said curtains, and damper means controlling the flow of products of combustion from the heating zones by way of the opening in said upper wall, said damper means including a stack concentric with said opening and having a partition member therein overlying said curtains.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the enclosure Vincludes a reduced upper portion in which said banks-of convection tubes are mounted, said groups of radiation tubes being mounted in the central portion of said enclosure and beneath said banks of convection tubes.

6. In a uid heater including an enclosure having an upper wall, an upper convection tube partitioned zone and a lower radiation tube partitioned zone; vmeans for controlling the amount 'of combustion' gases entering the convection partitioned zone comprising, a chrome-nickel alloy steel curtain disposed vertically within the enclosure land terminating above the bottom of the enclosure, said curtain dividing the enclosure into the aforementioned zones and hanger means adjustably securing the curtain to the upper wall for adjustment of the curtain vertically within the enclosure, said curtain being attached solely to said upper wall.

7. In la i'luidheater including an enclosure having an upper wall and a reduced upper portion, a pair of banks of convection tubes mounted in said upper portion, and a metallic curtain hanging from said upper wall and terminating above the bottom of the enclosure, said curtain extending between said pair of banks for controlling the amount of heat absorbed by each of the banks of convection tubes, said curtains being free from said banks to permit removal of the curtain independently of the banks.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said curtain extends downwardly into the lower portion of said enclosure, and a pair of banks of radiation tubes mounted in the lower portion of said enclosure and separated by said curtain.

9. In a fluid heater including an enclosure having an upper wall, a partition depending from and adjustably secured to said upper wall and dividing the enclosure into rst and second heating and combustion zones, banks of tubes mounted in each of said zones, said upper wall having an outlet opening therein, and a damper construction controlling the flow of products of combustion from said zones through the outlet opening, said damper construction including an upstanding partitioned stack having a vertical plate therein, and a pair of swingable damper plates disposed in said stack, said partition being parallel to said banks of tubes and coplanar with said plate.

10. The combination of claim 9 and a burner disposed beneath the partition and adapted to direct its flame along sides of the enclosure, and refractory surfaces mounted in said enclosure and spaced parallel to said partition to receive the iiame of said burner.

11. A heater comprising an enclosure including an upper wall having an opening therein, first and second banks of longitudinally extending tubes mounted in said enclosure, a partition disposed longitudinally of and between said banks of tubes, and adjustable hanger means securing the partition to the upper wall for adjustment of the partition vertically with respect to the banks of tubes, said partition being attached solely to said upper wall and free from said tubes.

12. A heater comprising an enclosure including a reduced upper portion having an upper wall, rst and second upper bands of longitudinally extending reversely bent tubes in said upper portion, support members mounted solely within said upper portion supporting said rst and second upper banks of tubes, additional support members hanging from said first named members and entering the enclosure from its reduced upper filmati-9228 zportio'n, :rst :and :second lower .fbanksfof @tubes -attached .solely to -zsa'ld `additional .support members, zand va. vertically `disposed metallic curtain hanging from said Eupper lWall and extending between Vthe rst :and .second -upper banks .of tube land also :extending between the first lfand @second flower .banks -of tubes, lsaid curtain :being .free V:from said banks 'of -:tubes and :terminating above the bottom "of 'the enclosure.

13. an Aalp-shot type heater .including :an enclosure including a reduced upper portion .having an upper wall, Va ,plurality of `spaced extending downwardly between the first and :second amper banks if 'tubes Kand ,also (extending downwardly fbetween :the rst #second lower abanks -iof tubes, ssa-id icurtain sbeing removably secured ato fs'ad `uriner vwail and .-free from .said -supports and :said fbanks -of tubes lto permit -re- 1mun/al of gse-id :curtain .REFERENCES `CITED ioll'owing references :are Arecord :in :the me fof ythis :patent:

Number Name l @Date W l Asiago Kidwe11.. ,May -2,9, 515923 1,715,614 -Mius ..-s June fi, ..1929 :1;809297 .Herthel .-June 9,., 1931 L2,105,500 Parsons .Ja1n. 18, 1938 2,105,819 Parsons s. Jan. `18, ,1938 2,105,821 Parsons Y= Jan. ,18, v1938 f2, ,294;951-'1 Garrison -et A-al. Sept. 8., `:1.942 2,456,786 Knel et al. Dec. 21, ,-1948 

